Profile: MET Head of Primary Wade McKechnie

OneSchool Global would like to welcome Wade McKechnie as the new
head of MET’s primary school based in Meadowbank.

Wade comes with a great deal of experience in the primary school
sector. For the past six years he has been the Curriculum Team Leader and Knox
Grammar Prep School in Wahroonga, as well as a teacher and coordinator at St
Anthony’s school in Marsfield.

Wade has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biological Sciences,
which is why he started his career at the Plant Breeding Institute at Sydney University
where he helped develop disease-resistant wheat varieties.

Wade is passionate about primary schooling and in particular
about upskilling primary teachers. “I want them to utilise their
strengths, passions and abilities in order to create
more motivating, engaging and stimulating programs,” says Wade, “and
ultimately, enhance student achievement and learning outcomes. Professional
learning should be utilised to continually upskill our quality teachers, which
in turn enables the achievement of student outcomes to the highest possible
standard for each individual. ”

Wade’s move to MET wasn’t something he took lightly, and he is
looking forward to getting to know the teachers, students and parents . “I have
been in communication with MET Management for the past two- and-a-half years
regarding potential move to MET,” he says. “I finally made the move this year.
I’m interested in the complex nature of 12 campuses across rural NSW ranging
from primary schools of multi-staging classes to single year groups and the use
of VC and online platforms.”

As well as teaching, Wade is currently undertaking a Master in
Education – Leadership and Management, and also currently does some
work with AIS and ISTAA looking at the Experienced Teacher Accreditation
for teachers. This process focuses on assessing teachers’ competencies
across all facets of teaching and learning.

And his teaching philosophy?
“I believe in connecting students’ learning to something that they know
or value,” he says. “I need to know my students. I need to know their
interests, learning styles, and backgrounds. When I possess this knowledge, my
teaching is better informed and more effective. By connecting students’
learning to something they know, student engagement and motivation will be
positively affected. Research shows, particularly for primary students, that
students work and enjoy subjects where they enjoy the teacher’s classroom
presence and feel as if the teacher connects with them personally. Student
connectedness is one of the most critical components of an effective teacher.”

He also plans to be a hands-on teacher when opportunities arise,
as well as support his staff in their development. “I aim to be in close
contact with all primary staff and visit all campuses to work closely with
teachers and students, even teaching classes to relieve teachers,” he says. “I
want to provide them with the opportunity to enhance their teaching practice
and program development through various PD opportunities, across campus
collaboration with the target of ultimately enhancing student
outcomes.”